by Temple Scott Associates

Government Advocacy is an effective tool for companies, associations and organizations to achieve any number of things that ultimately will improve opportunities for the proponent. Throughout the year, advocacy is ongoing through many avenues including events, the media, lobbying and most recently social media. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Rather each and every advocacy effort requires custom analysis, preparation and execution to meet individual needs operating in a unique environment.

So, generally, government advocacy is an on-going activity throughout the year….. but not quite….

There are periods of the year where aggressive advocacy campaigns simply are not workable, usually because the ones in government who need to be addressed are simply not available or are focused elsewhere. These commonly are during pre-election, election and post-election times; Christmas holidays and the summer months. As society changes and work-life balance becomes more of a goal rather that a wish, advocacy campaigns must adjust accordingly.

We are now a full month into the summer and into the peak holiday season. The Legislatures across the country are not in session. Government officials, like teachers, do not have to be on duty at specific times in specific places. Instead, they can take some holiday time and spend it away from the office and adjust office hours completely. Not a great time to push your cause forward.

The newly elected government in Alberta has a new Cabinet who are meeting and establishing their priorities moving forward. Not a great time to push your cause forward.

Manitoba will be into an election campaign in a couple of months and the final details of the campaign platforms are being developed. Not a great time to push your cause forward.

And in Ottawa, the rumours are getting stronger of a pending Cabinet shuffle as early as next week. Not a great time to push your cause forward.

With an election campaign hanging on a fractious agreement with the NDP, the Trudeau Liberals will be looking to identify the team that will take them to the next general election. They need to replace poorly performing Ministers and those who have indicated they are stepping down. Soon after the House rose for the summer last month, the rumours of a shuffle began. It now appears not if a shuffle will happen, but when. The newest talk on the street is next week before the Prime Minister leaves for vacation in early August. Otherwise, one can assume a late August shuffle before a Liberal caucus retreat in mid-September and the House returning on September 18th.

And so, the speculation will continue which simply means one thing – not a great time to push your cause forward.

Source: Temple Scott Associates